The Path of Fierce Diligence

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Teachings from Namo Amituofo:

The Awakening of the Fierce Spirit

To be fiercely diligent is a state of mind reserved for those who have truly learned to see through and let go of the attachments that bind them to this world. It is for those who recognise that their past actions are manifesting as current karmic burdens, and who understand that the suffering they experience is a direct result of these causes. When you clearly perceive the truth of reality, you understand that everything in this world is unfolding within the six realms of rebirth and the laws of karma and cause and effect.

You may ask yourself: What is there to be happy about? What is there to dwell upon? What is there to worry about? What is it that you still cannot let go of? All these experiences are merely part of the cycle of rebirth. Each person carries their own Causal Conditions, and each must bear the weight of their own actions. No one can carry these burdens for you; you must walk your own path.

Stepping Down from the Stage of Illusion

Consider the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death. If you, as a practitioner in this life, do not have the strength to break through these limitations, you will inevitably remain a being trapped in the six realms of rebirth. You will continue to repeat the same tragic play of life, filled with sorrow, joy, separation, and reunion. How much longer must this continue? When will you finally be able to step down from the stage of this world and achieve true liberation?

The Discipline of the Daily Path

How does one cultivate fierce diligence? It begins with your daily practice. You must maintain it without interruption, without neglect, and without absence. Do not be late, and do not leave early. You must be consistent and unwavering in your commitment.

• Precepts (Discipline), Concentration and Wisdom: You must diligently practise these three pillars to extinguish greed, anger, and ignorance.
• Discernment: You must learn to distinguish between what is beneficial to your spiritual growth and what is not.
• Transformation: With awareness, you must have the firm resolve to change personality traits that hinder your progress.
• Humility: You must strive to be gentle, upright, humble and modest in all your interactions.

The Unbroken Stream of Light

To achieve fierce diligence, your Buddha-name recitation must become a continuous, flowing stream that never stops. You must ensure that there are no interruptions, no gaps, and no moments of being drowsy. When you are 24/7, chanting then becomes a continuous, flowing stream that never stops. If you find yourself entering a space where your chanting stops, you must immediately recognise that your heart is not yet unified and focused.

Returning to the True Self

You must respect the fact that every being possesses the Buddha-nature. It is only because of confusion and delusion that their true self has become covered in dust. Today, your fierce diligence serves as the wisdom needed to counteract this confusion. By clearing away the dust, the light of your true self will naturally shine forth, and you will finally see their true nature.

Namo Amituofo